0 && = this.fSiteSearch.value !=3D this.fSiteSearch.defaultValue)"=20 action=3D/search/index.cfm method=3Dpost>

Search:

You are here: Home > News and = events >=20 News

CSP members can login or register =20

Safety steps for happier holidays

Published: 8 Aug 2005

The CSP and chartered physiotherapist Sammy = Margo=20 have teamed up to provide simple tips to avoid holiday injuries this = year.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
14 Bedford Row, = London,=20 WC1R 4ED
Tel 020 7306 6628 / 6616 www.csp.org.uk

8 August 2005 - For Immediate Release

Safety steps for happier holidays

Holidays should be a time to relax and unwind. But Chartered = Physiotherapists=20 are warning that the stress of packing and travelling can put = holidaymakers at=20 risk of picking up strains and sprains before they even hit the = beach.

To help people arrive at their holiday destination in good health,=20 physiotherapist Sammy Margo has worked with the Chartered Society of=20 Physiotherapy to produce a 12-point holiday health guide =C3=B1 = see below.

'Holidays are about unwinding from all the stresses and = strains=20 of everyday life and undoing the damage we do to ourselves through the = rest of=20 the year,' Sammy says.

But Sammy says having to contend with masses to organise and a = lengthy=20 journey can lead to awkward postures, which might cause or aggravate = physical=20 problems. Common holiday-related problems include back and neck = injuries.

'We forget we're doing something out of the ordinary = =C3=B1 that could=20 include sitting for hours in cramped seats, queuing and lifting heavy = bags. All=20 that combined with high stress levels could mean putting our bodies into = postures we're not accustomed to.

'Even the most simple holiday pleasures can create = discomfort.=20 For example, just going for a walk along the beach with bare feet or in = the=20 wrong footwear can lead to inflammation and pain in your knees, calves = or feet,=20 through over-stretched tendons and ligaments,' Sammy = says.

There are simple ways to avoid injury when doing activities that are = not part=20 of your usual every day routine. See below for Sammy's top = tips.

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

SEE 12-POINT GUIDE BELOW

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy is the professional, = educational and=20 trade union body for the country's 45,000 chartered physiotherapists,=20 physiotherapy students and assistants. A full archive of earlier CSP = press=20 releases can be found by visiting http://www.csp.org.uk/.

For more information, call the CSP press office on 020 7306 6616 / = 6163 /=20 6628.

CSP HOLIDAY HEALTH GUIDE

Packing a bag:
=E2=88=91 Place your bag on a = higher surface=20 such as a bed, to avoid bending your back to pack. Awkward bending and = twisting=20 may cause back pain.

Lifting your bag:

Breathe in and pull your stomach in. Keep your feet wide apart, = with your=20 back straight, bend your knees to lift the bag up, holding the item = close to=20 your body.
If a bag is particularly heavy, share the weight with someone = else. If=20 possible, use a bag with wheels.

Placing in, and removing bags from, the car or luggage=20 racks:

The same as above, but if you have to lift bags above your waist, = try not=20 to over-extend your back. Ensure you can manage the weight of hand = luggage and=20 if not, get someone to help.

Standing in queues:

When standing and waiting, practise good posture. Stand up = straight, with=20 your tummy muscles pulled in and shoulders back and down.=20
If you are standing for a very long time, stand as tall as = possible and=20 transfer weight from one leg to another to boost your = circulation.

Travelling:

When seated, try to sit with your buttocks pushed to the back of = the seat.=20 Make sure your lower back is well supported and you are not slumped. = If you=20 are driving, ensure your position is as supported as possible and move = the=20 seat to make yourself comfortable.
While you are sitting, try to move your legs little and often = throughout=20 the journey to minimise the risks of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). = Whenever=20 possible, get out of your seat and walk around.

Arriving at your destination:

Be careful when removing items from the over-head luggage = compartment, as=20 they can move during transit and you could injure yourself or another=20 passenger.=20
Gently lower the item onto the seat below. This avoids stooping = and makes=20 it easier to either place on the floor (if the bag has wheels) or to = pick it=20 up again to carry it.
If you have been sitting for a prolonged period, your back may be = more=20 vulnerable to injury. You must take even more care when lifting your = bags from=20 the carousel; not only might luggage be heavy, but you are lifting it = from a=20 moving surface. Use the lifting technique above, ensuring you are in = the=20 correct position before lifting.

Holiday activities:

Stretch before and after doing exercise, particularly if you are = doing an=20 activity that you are not accustomed to.

Remember, if you have any unusual pain or discomfort that persists = after your=20 holiday, you should see your GP, who can refer to you to your chartered=20 physiotherapist. Alternatively, you can visit http://www.physio2u.co.uk/ for a = list of=20 private and independent practitioners in your = area.

About the = CSP=20
Physio= therapy=20 explained=20
Careers=20 and learning=20
Effective=20 practice=20
Librar= y and=20 publications=20
News and = events=20
- Ne= ws=20
- Email=20 news bulletin=20
- Campa= igns=20
- Analys= is=20
- Ph= ysio=20 alerts=20
- Front= line=20
- Gove= rnment=20
- New= sletters=20
- Events=20
Groups and=20 networks=20
Workplace=20 issues

Tell us what you thought and you = could win=20 a free ticket to next year's event

Want to get more from your CSP membership?
Update your member = record

Recovering mind and body
A=20 framework for the role of physiotherapy in mental health and=20 wellbeing

Spotlight on research, the second in our series
Measuring=20 physical activity levels and the tools to do = this

The = Chartered Society=20 of Physiotherapy, 14 Bedford Row, London WC1R 4ED = | +44=20 (0)20 7306 6666 | enquiries@csp.org.uk